Statewide work zone information system

Abstract

A computer system includes a memory and a processor. The processor executes instructions to perform steps that include receiving a message from an asset tracking device, the message comprising position information for the asset tracking device and a traffic control device type for a traffic control device that the asset tracking device is attached to. The processor uses the received message to determine a road that the traffic control device is positioned on and a location of the traffic control device along the road.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A computer system comprising:
 a memory; and 
 a processor executing instructions to perform steps comprising:
 receiving a message from an asset tracking device, the message comprising position information for the asset tracking device and a traffic control device type for a traffic control device that the asset tracking device is attached to; 
 using the received message to determine a road that the traffic control device is positioned on and a location of the traffic control device along the road 
 receiving a second message from a second asset tracking device, the message comprising position information for the second asset tracking device and a traffic control device type for a second traffic control device that the second asset tracking device is attached to; 
 using the received second message to determine a road that the second traffic control device is positioned on and a location of the second traffic control device along the road; and 
 using the locations of the traffic control device and the second traffic control device to determine if a work zone along the road is laid out properly. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein determining if the work zone is laid out properly comprises comparing the locations of the traffic control device and the second traffic control device to a stored plan for the work zone. 
     
     
       3. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein determining if the work zone is laid out properly comprises identifying a work zone layout from a set of work zone layouts based on the traffic control device types of the first traffic control device and the second traffic control device and using the identified work zone layout to determine if the first traffic control device and the second traffic control device are laid out properly. 
     
     
       4. The computer system of  claim 3  wherein determining if the first traffic control device and the second traffic control device are laid out properly comprises using the locations of the first traffic control device and the second traffic control device along the road to determine a spacing between the first traffic control device and the second traffic control device and comparing the spacing to a spacing set in the identified work zone layout. 
     
     
       5. The computer system of  claim 4  wherein the spacing set in the identified work zone layout is dependent on a speed limit of the road. 
     
     
       6. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein upon receiving the message from the asset tracking device, the processor:
 determines that the traffic control device is not within a boundary of any road project stored in memory; and 
 in response, creates a new unplanned road project and assigns the traffic control device to the unplanned road project. 
 
     
     
       7. The computer system of  claim 6  wherein upon receiving the second message, the processor:
 determines that the second traffic control device is close to the project boundaries of the unplanned project; and 
 in response, adds the second control device to the unplanned project. 
 
     
     
       8. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the processor performs further steps comprising:
 when the work zone is determined to not be laid out properly, sending an alert to a mobile device associated with a work crew responsible for the work zone. 
 
     
     
       9. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the memory comprises a volatile memory cache containing information for currently active and soon-to-be active work zones and a non-volatile memory containing information for no longer active, currently active, and not yet active work zones. 
     
     
       10. The computer system of  claim 1  wherein the processor executes additional instructions to perform additional steps comprising:
 providing a map user interface showing where the traffic control device is deployed based on the received position information. 
 
     
     
       11. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein the map user interface displays an icon that represents the traffic control device, wherein the icon depicts information conveyed by the traffic control device. 
     
     
       12. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein the map user interface groups traffic control devices into work zones. 
     
     
       13. The computer system of  claim 12  wherein the user interface comprises an indication that a work zone is not laid out properly. 
     
     
       14. The computer system of  claim 13  wherein the indication that a work zone is not laid out properly identifies a particular traffic control device that is not laid out properly. 
     
     
       15. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein the processor performs further steps comprising:
 determining that traffic control devices are not within a boundary of a known project; and 
 in response, creating an unplanned road project for the traffic control devices. 
 
     
     
       16. The computer system of  claim 15  wherein the map user interface further comprises edit controls for altering parameters of the unplanned road project. 
     
     
       17. The computer system of  claim 10  wherein the map user interface further comprises controls for creating a road project and designating locations for traffic control devices within the road project.